Seeking to block the planned relocation to the Toyosu district, 59 intermediate wholesalers at the Tsukiji fish market on September 19 filed a suit for injunction with the Tokyo District Court. The plaintiffs also requested the court to immediately issue a temporary injunction order.

After the filing, 12 of the 59 plaintiffs and their lawyers’ group head Utsunomiya Kenji held a press briefing in the court building.

Utsunomiya pointed out that the Tokyo government failed to fulfill its promise to remove toxic substances from the soil and underground water at the ex-gas plant site in Toyosu. In addition, he criticized Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko for declaring the Toyosu market site safe although the safety has yet to be verified.

Explaining the reasons for taking legal action, Utsunomiya said that the wholesale market relocation to the contaminated Toyosu site would increase consumers’ concerns over food safety and deliver a heavy blow to the plaintiffs. He went on to say that if Tsukiji workers are transferred to the contaminated site, they may face the risk of ill health affect from the toxins there. The lawyer stressed that the planned relocation will not only endanger the plaintiffs’ lives and livelihoods but also violates their personal rights.

Plaintiffs’ group head Yamaguchi Tai, who also heads the Tsukiji women brokers’ group (Tsukiji Okamisan Kai), said “The metropolitan government has misinformed us about the issues regarding the Tsukiji relocation such as the extent of soil pollution. It is unacceptable for the Tokyo government to push ahead with the relocation project.”

Tokyo Governor Koike intends to open the new Toyosu market on October 11 as planned.